Dehradun: DPR Approved For Repairing Paonta Sahib Highway Bridge; Tenders Invited For Rs 16 Cr Project

The damaged bridge on the Paonta Sahib highway near Nanda ki Chowki is set to be restored, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) now approved and tenders invited for strengthening work. The bridge was severely damaged on the night of September 15after heavy rainfall caused the Tons River to swell, leading to the collapse of the abutment wall on the Paonta Sahib side.

Since the incident, traffic has been diverted through a temporary culvert constructed using hume pipes. According to officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), the DPR estimates the repair cost at around Rs 16 crore. 

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The bridge, built in 1992, had an open foundation for its side abutments, a structural flaw that has now been corrected in the new design.

A PWD inspection revealed that while the abutment wall collapsed, the central pillars remained unaffected due to their well foundations. The revised plan provides for replacing the open foundation with a well foundation with a depth of over 20 metres, compared to just 5 metres in the original structure. Additional safety features have also been incorporated.

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PWD officials expect the repaired bridge to be completed and opened to traffic within two to three months.

Meanwhile, the condition of the approach road to the temporary culvert has deteriorated significantly. To ease vehicular movement until the main bridge is restored, tile-laying work on the pothole-ridden stretch began late Monday night.